From pickleball to cloth-diaper classes, local parks and rec groups abound

KATIE HANSEN Daily News Staff

Thursday

Jan 23, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 23, 2014 at 3:00 PM

Every year, local parks and recreation departments gear up with exciting new programs to keep citizens active and involved in the community.

Every year, local parks and recreation departments gear up with exciting new programs to keep citizens active and involved in the community.

Onslow County Parks and Recreation Assistant Recreation Supervisor Carol Trott said the department is constantly creating new events to keep folks engaged.

“Living in a young community, because Jacksonville absolutely is a young community, we try to target our events to the kids and the young families,” Trott said.

On March 22 the department will host a Car and Craft Show to showcase cars, trucks and bikes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Onslow Pines Park. Registration costs $20 on show day. Trott said there will be vendors, entertainment and activities for kids as well, and proceeds will benefit the Onslow County Animal Services.

“They’re renovating right now,” Trott said. “It’s a great cause.”

The annual Senior Games will continue its tradition April 26 at Onslow Pines; however Trott said the department has added a new event this year: a 5K on April 5 at the Jacksonville Commons.

Also, Trott said they have lowered the age for athletes to participate in the Games from 55 years old to 50.

Another new event which Trott is excited about is a concert on May 31 with David Holt, a performer of “reel and rock” who plays fiddle and guitar and performs ballads. Holt is also famous for his storytelling.

A new two-day Poly Fest comes to Onslow Pines Park from 12 to 8 p.m. on July 25 and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 26 andwill celebrate Polynesian culture with events and entertainment such as Asian drums and Hawaiian and fire dancers.

“That’s a festival that is not held here in Onslow County,” Trott said, “and I know they’re very popular in other areas.”

The festival will also include food, vendors, crafts, games and music to fit the theme.

Jacksonville Recreation and Parks is exploring new programs in science, creativity and sports.

On March 15, kids ages 4 to 16 will get to build things, test gravity, watch things explode during Science Frenzy at the Commons Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $5.

“We’re real excited about Science Frenzy and opening new doors for kids who are excited about science and exploring nature,” said Susan Baptist, Jacksonville Recreation and Parks’ Recreation superintendent.

She said the department aims to offer a wide variety of programs for kids and families.

Baptist said the department also has trips planned for adults, including sporting events and trips to the theater.

Locals can sign up for a trip to see Tyler Perry’s Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman’s Scorn on Feb. 28 at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville for $85. The group leaves Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center at 4:45 p.m. and is slated to come back at 12:35 a.m.

Folks will have a chance to see the Norfolk Tides play the Durham Bulls on June 7 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park for $37, including transportation, a ticket, and a $5 concession voucher. The group will leave at 4 p.m. and is expected to return at 12:15 a.m.

Seniors and adults can look forward to new classes in 2014. A free class in spring vegetable gardening with Lisa Rayburn will help people get ready for warm weather from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 8 at the Jacksonville Commons Complex.

A free cloth diapering class is also on the schedule for 5 to 7 p.m. March 5 at the Jacksonville Commons Complex. Pre-registration is required for both classes by calling 910-938-5312.

Or join the adult co-ed kickball league for ages 16 and up, beginning in March. Each team must pay a fee of $225 plus $25 non-city resident fees.

For the little ones in the house, Happy Steps an interactive play group for toddlers meets every Thursday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Jack Amyette Recreation Center.

“We’re always excited about new programs for the toddlers,” Baptist said, noting that there are many youngsters in the area.

Special programs for toddlers and their parents, called Stepping Stones, take place on Fridays once a month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Kerr Street Recreation center and cost $5 per family, or a $7 fee for non-city residents.

Kids and parents can enjoy Dr. Seuss stories, crafts and games at the Feb. 7 program Seusspicious Behavior.

March 7 will celebrate Kids in the Kitchen, April 11 will be an Eggstravaganza, and May 9 will be a Science Exploration.

Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department

Returning and ongoing programs with the Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department include:

- Teacher Workday art camps for kids. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24, the “Art All Around Us” Teacher Workday Art Camp will serve kids ages 8 to 14. The kids will work with members of the Coastal Carolina Crafters Guild for $20 for the first camper and $15 for any additional child in the family. Pre-registration is required by calling 910-347-5332.

- Pirate Fest on May 3 at Hammocks Beach State Park will serve up rowdy good fun, including storytelling, music, food and vendors.

- Valentines for Troops, asks any and every one to make valentines for deployed troops. Cards can be as creative as you want, but cards larger than 8.5 by 11 inches cannot be accepted. Cards are due by Jan. 31 and can be dropped off at Onslow Pines Park or mailed in to 1244 Onslow Pines Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540.

- The North Carolina Museum of Natural Science from Raleigh is coming to Onslow County again. This year, they will bring snakes and spiders to Jacksonville High School at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. March 2.

- Youth sports programs in baseball, softball, T-ball, basketball and cheerleading. Registration for baseball, softball and T-ball starts March 16 and ends March 23 at Dixon and Trexler middle schools, Morton Elementary, and Onslow Pines Park. Basketball and cheerleading season is already in progress.

- Special events the department does every year will continue, including Easter egg hunts at the parks which will take place on April 12 this year. More information on those programs can be found online at www.onslowcountync.gov/Parks/.

Jacskonville Recreation and Parks

Returning and ongoing programs with the Jacksonville Recreation and Parks Department include:

- Youth baseball and softball, for kids ages 5 to 18. Registration is open Feb. 10 to March 7 at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex.

- Group tennis lessons for all ages 4 and up. Last day of registration is March 7 at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex.

- The After School program, for kids kindergarten and up at seven different sites. Children arrive after school and can stay until 6 p.m. to participate in active play, arts and crafts, homework time, snack time, and games.

- The Senior Center, free to city residents and $35 for non-city residents per year, is located at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex. The center provides daily activities such as exercise programs, arts and crafts classes, day trips and special events for seniors such as socials.

- The department’s third annual Pickleball tournament will take place March 6 through 9 at the Jacksonville Commons Complex. The tournament is open to adults over 50 years old. Registration costs $20 for the first tournament and $5 per additional tournament.

- The department provides Zumba, yoga, and art classes, as well as special events such as Easter egg hunts and outdoor movie series.

To find out when these special events are happening, check out https://jacksonvillenc.gov/index.aspx?nid=197.

Check it out

Check out all the programs Onslow County Parks and Recreation has to offer at www.onslowcountync.gov/Parks/ or by calling 910-347-5332.

Check out all the programs Jacksonville Recreation and Parks has to offer at https://jacksonvillenc.gov/index.aspx?nid=197 or by calling 910-938-5312.

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